Repeating mechanism for talking machines



Nov. 12, 1929. s. B. BATTEY REPEJVI'ING' MECHANISM FOR TALKING MACHINES 2 Sheets$heet Filed Aug. 21, 1922 By Attorneys,

Nov. 12, 1929. s. B. BATTEY REPEATING MECHANISM FOR TALKING MACHINES Filed Aug. 21, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 3 2% By Attorneys, L /rwu/t Lia/1% VW Patented Nov. 12, 1929 SUMTER B. BATTEY, on NEW Yonx, N. Y.

- BEPEATING MECHANISM FOR TALKII VG MACHINES Application filed August 21, 1922. Serial No. 583,132.

This invention relates to repeating mechanisms for talking machines of the type set forth in United States Patent No. 1,629,986, granted May 24, 1927, to me and Bryan M.

Battey jointly, the Object of the present invention being to provide an improved mechanism of this type. The device referred to comprises a mechanism carried at or near the sound box in which a wheel or similar device is provided which is normallyheld above the record until the end of the sound groove is reached, whereupon it ismoved into contact with the record, thus elevating the sound box. The continued rotary movea ment of the record causes the wheel to move laterally outward to the edge of the record. whereupon it works over the same, thus lowering the sound box until the needle moves into contact'with the sound groove at the beginning of the latter. WVhile such conneedle.

struction was animprovement on the art theretofore existing, I have found in practice that its operation can be considerably improved in several respects, notably by providing a wheel or the like which is elongated and preferably tapered,whereby the sound box and needle can be restored to contact with the record so gently that there is no liability of injury either to the record or The device ofthe presentinvention includes certain other features and improvc ments which will be hereinafter more fully described. I In the drawings which illustrated the preferred form of the invention:

Figure 1 is an elevation looking toward the edge of the sound box, and showing also the record and turntable, the parts being illustrated as approaching the position in which the repeating mechanism is to work.

Fig. 2 is an elevation at right angles to Figure 1. I I F ig. 3 is a similar view showing the position of the parts after the needle hasbeen elevated.

Fig. 4, Fig. 5,and Fig. 6 are sectional views of details. v s

Fig. 7 is an under-side view of Figure 1.

Flg. 8 is a view of the device asapplied to a different type of phonograph arm.

Fig. 9 is an elevation of the preferred form of the invention. g

Fig. 10 is a view at right angles to Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detailed view in section.

Referring firstto Figs. 1 8 of the draw.- ings let A indicate the usual phonographic turn-table, Bethe record having the usual aperture fitting over the central stud C. D is the sound box carried on a curved arm E capable of being tilted around the axis F 6 in Figures 1 and 7, whereby to raise or lower Y the sound box.

,The repeating mechanism is fastened to the arm E by a strap or band G, which is tightened about the arm by a thumb screw H screwing on a threaded bolt I. Between the two is located the block J which is capable of rotating between the ends of the band G, but

which is held in frictional contact with the two so that when rotated it will holdits adusted position. Aflixed to the under-side of 1 the book J is an arm K extending toward the sound box, which arm serves to su ort at its free end the shaft L of the roller The shaft L is not mounted directly upon the arm K, but is mounted in a block 'N which has a pivoted connection with a swinging member 0 which is pivoted at P to the arm K so that the member 0 is capable of moving in ahorizontal plane and thus adjusting the degree of angularity of the shaft L. Preferably, the swingingmember O has means for holding it in its adjusted position, this being effected in the present const-ructon by a frictional arm P which engages the underside of the arm K. The block N ishinged or pivoted on an axis N to the swinging member O, as is best seen in Figs. 1 and 6. The swinging member 0 may conveniently carry hinge ears N? which freely embrace the pivot or hinge pin N between corresponding ears N formed at the end of member 0, the said latter ears rigidly gripping the pin and holding it against axial or angular displacement relative to member 0. A spring N normally holds the tilting block N (as well as the shaft L and roller M) in its uppermost position. The effect of this construction is that the roller M is capable of three movements.

The. first of these is caused by tilting the block J around the axis I, the effect of which is to tilt the shaft L upwardly or downwardly so as to adjust the lower part of the periphry of the roller so that it makes proper contact with the record for different shapes and sizes of sound box, and different degrees of projection of the needle. The second adjustment is of the swinging'member O around the axis 1? which determines the angularity of the shaft L so that the sound .box may be moved at a slower or faster speed across the face of the record when the sound box is being restored to its initial or outer position with regard to the record. The third movement of the shaft L is around the pivot N, and this movement is availed of to bring the roller M into contact with the record, whereby to lift the sound box when it reaches its innermost position in a manner to be described. 7

While the frictional contact between the block J and the ends of the strap G might be relies upon to hold the arm K in its various tilted positions, I prefer to provide a more secure means for eifecting this result. Iteferring especially to Figs. 2 and '7 it will be seen that the block J is provided with a side I extension Q, having a slot Q in which fits the reduced neck Q of an adjusting screw Q The latter screws into a part B held in place by the belt I, or otherwise prevented from turning. It will be seen that when the screw Q is turned to the right, the block J will be moved around its pivotal axis, thereby turning the arm K around its longitudinal axis to lower the roller. The reverse movement raises it. These adjusting movements do not interfere with the up and down swinging movement of the roller which is relied upon to raise the sound box to lift the needle from the record. 7

In order to better support the sound box when it is elevated, I prefer to provide a spring S which is preferably bent on itself and which is fastened to arm K, its free end.

contacting with the sound box as shown at S.

f desired, an adjusting screw such as S can be utilized to throw the end of the spring further upward, or permit it to move further downward to suit different types of sound boxes. Preferably, the end S of the spring is carried forwardly so as to constitute a stop for the block if as it swings'downwardly, thus limiting the actuating movement of'the roller so that it does not move sufficiently far to again lower the sound box after it has raised the latter.

The roller is preferably actuated to raise the sound box by a-mechanism which is similar to that shown in the aforesaid application, namely, a pair of knife edges, one of which, T, is ca ried adjustably ina block T frictionally held by the central stud C'of the turn-table A, and the other of which, U is carried by the tilting block N. The effect of further 05 the edge.

these knife edges is that when the needle arrives near the end of the sound groove, the knife edges are brought into contact. This contact causes the knife U to ride up over the top of the knife T, thus swin ing the shaft L and roller M from the inoperative posi ion shown in Fig. 2 to the operative position shown in Fig. 3, thereby lifting the sound box so that the needle is disengaged.

Animportant feature of the invention is the construction and operation of the roller 'M or its equivalent. In prior structures, a

member has been provided, the periphery or working face of which is narrow, with a result that as it passes off the edge of the record it is apt to drop the sound box, thus injuring the record or destroying the needle. In the aforesaid application, the descent of the sound box is less abrupt, but can, nevertheless, be improved upon.

According to the present invention, I provide a member with a broad working face which preferably doesnot pass entirely off the record, but which lowers the needle gradually into gentle Contact with the record. lVhatever type of member is employed, whether of the wheel or other type, it should have broad working surface which is inclined with reference to the plane of the record; that is to say, its outer edge should be nearer the record than its inner edge. The

result of this construction is that as the record rotates, the sound box will be gradually lowered as the wheel, or its equivalent, works This result could be accomplished by the use of any inclined plane having an extended surface in a direction which is radial to the record, but I prefer to use a rotatable member such as the roller M,

since by using such a member there is less friction on the record as the member moves across the face thereof. However, the most effective and simple device for accomplishing the purpose is a tapered roller such as is illustrated, of which the periphery is of less diameter on its inner side than on its outer. The periphery need not be flat such as is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7; it may be curved in either direction, an example of a concave roll- .er being shown in Fig. 8.

I prefer to form the roller of rubber, and, in order that it may rotate freely, I provide a bushing M of metal or other suitable material. The shaft L is best threaded as illustrated in Figure 1, and a screw threaded collar V isprovided for adjusting the position of the roller. The latter may be carried loose upon the shaft, since in operation its movement tends to throw it outwardly against the adjusting collar V.

In applying the device to a phonograp clamp G is passed around the tubular arm and screwed tight by the adjusting nut H. A needle is then inserted in the needle carrier, and the adjusting nut Q is manipulated until the rolleris in proper position vertically to effectually lift the sound box. The swinging member is then adjusted horizontally until the shaft L has the correct angularity to cause tion by the spring N until the last sound groove is reached by the needle, whereupon the knife edges T and Ucontact, thuslowerting the roller so that it contacts withthe record and lifts the sound box. The sound box is then moved across the face of the record by the action of the latter upon the roller, and when the roller reaches the edge of the record and assumes a position similar to thatshown in dotted lines in Figure 1, the sound box will be gently lowered with its needle into contact with the first record groove. As soon as the weight of the sound box is removed from the roller, its spring N restores the roller with its shaft L to the inoperative position shown in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 8, I have shown the device as applied to a phonograph having astraight tone arm. In this construction, the arm K ext-ends at an angle to the axis of the block J so that by adjustment of the thumb screw Q, the shaft L is raised and lowered. In Fig. 8, the construction results in a bodily movement of the shaft instead of a tilting movement as in Figs. 1 to 7, but the effect of raising and lowering the roller remains the same. In other respects, the two mechanisms are substantially identical.

Referring to the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11, G is a clamp by which the device is attached to the sound box, clamping screw G being provided to engage the sound box near its periphery. The clamp G is formed with an arm G The arm K is pivoted at K to the clamp, and an adjusting screw K is provided which fits in a slot formed in the upper end K of the arm K and is threaded into the arm G so that arm K may be tilted upwardly or downwardly for adjusting the position of the roller M The latter is carried on a shaft L as before, which is mounted on a member 0 pivoted to the arm K by a pin l a spring N being provided which normally tends to raise the roller M The knife edge U is similar to that shown in Figs.

1 to 7, as is also the stop S which is adapted to limit the movement of the part 0 around the pivot pin N. The part 0 is pivoted to a plate P which is capableof an angular movement around the screw P by which movement angular adjustments of the roller dially of the record, and said roller being tapered on its periphery. e

4. A repeating mechanism for talking with relation to the record are secured.

I have found that the roller M, or its equiv- Q alent, makes a very effective friction stop for the record and machine if itis secured against rotation. I prefer to make the roller yieldin 1y held, and to this end introduce a spring 4 between the end of the roller and the part 0 This spring bears against a bushing W and when the thumb nut V is screwed up tightly, the roller is clamped sufficiently so that when the knife edge engages the part T, and the roller is dropped, it will rotate slightly so as to bring the parts to rest without shock and without undue wear upon the roller. However, the roller will not under such circumstances have suflicient capacity for rotationto travel across the face of the record. Y

lVhile I have shown and described one form of the invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto since various changes may bemade therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

' What I claimis l. A repeating mechanism for talking ma- 1 chines having a movable sound box or the like, said mechanism including a member independent of the needle adapted to be engaged with the record, said member cooperating with the record to move the sound box in adirection toward the beginning of the sound record and also to lower the sound box whereby to bring said needle into engagement with the record, said member presenting to the record an inclined surface which is of considerable breadth in a direction radially of the record, and which surface is inclined from the horizontal so that with re spect to the record, a radially inward point on said surface is higher than a radially outward point thereon.

\ 2. A repeating mechanism for talking machines having a' movable sound box or the" like, said mechanism including a member in- "dependent of the needle adapted to be engagedwith the record, said member cooperating with the record to lower the soundbox whereby to bring said needle into engage ment with the record, said member comprising a roller and a shaft therefor, the roller having a broad face radially of the record,

and said parts being constructed and mounted 3. A repeating mechanism for talking machines havinga movable sound box or the like, said mechanism including a member independent of the needle adapted to be engaged with the record, said member co operating with the record to lower the sound box whereby to bring said needle into engagement with the record, such member comprising a roller having a broad face rapermanently machines having a movable sound box, said mechanism including a member independent of the needle adapted to be engaged with the record, said member vco-operating with-the record to move the sound box in a direction toward the beginning of the sound record and also'co-operating therewith to lower the sound box, a shaft for said member, and means for raising and lowering said member by moving said shaft, said means comprising a tiltable block rigidly attached to said shaft and means for tilting said block.

1 5. A repeating mechanism for talking machines having a movable sound box. said mechanism including a member independent of the needle adapted to be engaged withthe record, said member co-operating with the record to move the sound box in a direction toward tl e beginning of the sound record, means for adjusting the angularity of said member in a horizontal plane, and means for 6. A repeating mechanism for talking niachines having a movable sound box, said mechanism including a member independent of the needle adapted to be engaged with the record, said member co-operating with the record to move the sound box in a direction toward the beginning of the sound record, means for mounting said member to swing upwardly and downwardly, means for adjusting said member vertically, and means for varying the angularity of said member.

7. A repeating mechanism for talking machines having a movable sound box, said mechanism including a member independent of the needle adapted to be engaged with the record, said member co-operating with the record to move the sound box in a direction toward the beginning of the sound record, said means comprising a roller, a shaft for said roller, means whereby said shaft can be moved bodily to bring said roller into and out of contact with the record, said last named means being pivoted for adjustment in a horizontal plane, and means for permanently ad- 1 justing the roller vertically. I

8. A repeating mechanism for talking machines, said mechanism includlng a roller adapted to travel over the face of the record,

a shaft for said roller, a tiltable memberadapted to permit the swinging of the roller into and out of contact with the record, a swinging member upon which said tiltable member is pivoted and adapted for adjustment angularly of the record in a horizontal plane, and an adjustable arm to which said swingingv member is connected, said arm being pivotally supported by the tone arm structure of the phonograph.

9. A repeating mechanism for talking machines having a movable sound box or :the

like, said mechanism comprising a roller adapted to move across the face ofthe record, 1

means for mounting the roller whereby it adjusting its vertical position.

may swing upwardly and downwardly into and out of contact with the record, an arm carrying said roller, mounting means and means for adjustably connecting said arm to the sound box of the phonograph comprising a clamp adapted toembrace the sound box upon which said arm is pivoted, and an adjusting screw to vary the position of said arm with respect to said clamp.

10. A combined stop and repeat mechanism for talking machines, said mechanism includmg a roller adapted to be engaged with the record, said I roller co-operating with the record to move the sound box 1n a dlrection toward the beginning of the sound record,

my name.

SUMTER B. BATTEY. 

